Movie Channels
Sony MAX Premieres Saale Aashiq – A Paradigm Shift in the Movie Industry
Building on the success of their supernatural thriller “Adbhut” released last September, Sony MAX is once again breaking ground with the direct-to-TV release of “Saale Aashiq”. This movie offering signals our commitment to delight linear TV viewers with compelling and exclusive content.
“Saale Aashiq” will Premiere on Sony MAX on February 1, 2025, at 8:00 PM. Set against the backdrop of a small town in Madhya Pradesh, the film narrates the captivating love story of Shatru (Tahir Raj Bhasin) and Gudia (Mithila Palkar) as they navigate challenges to stay together. The star-studded cast also includes veteran actors Chunky Pandey and Darshan Jariwala.
With its unmatched reach and viewership potential, Sony MAX’s direct-to-TV release initiative is a smart, consumer-first response to the shifting viewing preferences. It seeks to reignite the tradition of families gathering around the Television at a set time to enjoy a shared experience.
Makarand Palekar, EVP, Head – Distribution Sales, Marketing and Operations, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI)
“Direct-to-TV releases leverage the broad reach of linear television to maximise audience engagement while catering to evolving content consumption trends. This strategic approach strengthens distribution, ensuring wider accessibility and driving viewership growth. Sony Pictures Networks India remains committed to innovative distribution initiatives that enhance content reach and impact.”
Sony MAX’s direct-to-TV initiatives boldly bridge the gap between viewing preferences, delivering high-impact content directly to TV and capturing young audiences. The strong audience desire for fresh content has made watching new releases at home rival the appeal of a theatrical experience.
Movie Channels
Zee5 launches five free FAST channels on Samsung TV Plus India
New genre-led channels bring comedy, drama, horror, classics and South films to Smart TVs.
MUMBAI: Zee5 just turned Samsung Smart TVs into a free entertainment buffet because when premium content costs nothing, even the remote control starts smiling. Zee5 has launched five curated free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels on Samsung TV Plus India, making high-quality, genre-specific entertainment available subscription-free to millions of Samsung Smart TV owners across the country.
The five channels now live are:
Zee Comedy Nation – Popular comedy shows and movies
Zee Dil Se – Compelling drama series
ZEE Horror Nights – Horror and supernatural content
ZEE Cine Classic – Timeless Indian films
ZEE South Flix – High-energy South Indian films dubbed in Hindi
All content is drawn from Zee5’s extensive library and programmed in a lean-back, always-on format ideal for large-screen viewing. This launch strengthens Zee5’s Connected TV strategy at a time when 64 per cent of its premium content watch time already comes from connected devices.
Zee5 chief business officer Siju Prabhakaran said, “At Zee5, we believe accessibility and scale will define the next phase of digital entertainment growth in India. Our presence on Samsung TV Plus strengthens our Connected TV strategy, enabling viewers to discover curated, genre-led content in a seamless, free, and premium environment.”
Samsung TV Plus India head of partnerships Kunal Mehta added, “Local partnerships are at the heart of how we grow Samsung TV Plus in India. Zee Entertainment is one of India’s most iconic media brands, and bringing their channels to our service means millions more Samsung Smart TV owners can enjoy premium local content, subscription-free.”
The channels are available directly through the pre-installed Samsung TV Plus app with no login or subscription required. This marks another milestone in Zee5’s CTV expansion and builds on its growing international presence, with Zee channels already available on Samsung TV Plus across Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
In a streaming world where paywalls often block the fun, Zee5 and Samsung have quietly opened the gates, proving that sometimes the best things in life (and on your TV) really are free especially when they come with a side of comedy, drama, horror, classics and South Indian blockbuster energy.
